Key with guides and movable steps for insertion at back



Nov. 18,1947. A. ClANl 2,430,914

' KEY WITH GUIDES AND MOVABLE STEPS FOR INSERTIONAT BACK Filed Jan. 22, 1945 J 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

NOV. 18; 1947. c N 2,430,914

KEY WITH GUIDES AND MOVABLE STEPS FOR INSERTION AT BACK Filed Jan. 22, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J3 INVENTOR.

cfli/ZVYCOQQ??? BY flmfl mra.

Patented Nov. 18, 1947 KEY WITH GUIDES AND MOVABLE STEPS FOR INSERTION AT BACK Americo Ciani, Mexico City, Mexico Application January 22, 1945, Serial No. 573,887 In Mexico March 20, 1944 2 Claims.

My present invention, in its broad aspect, has to do with improvements in keys, and more particularly, it is my purpose to provide a key which has removable numbered teeth of different lengths, and the like, which may be changed at will to correspond with changes in a lock combination, thereby attaining a safety factor not present in conventional keys where the loss of a key requires the complete changing of a lock to guard against surreptitious use of the 10st key by the finder.

In attaining the objects and advantages of my invention, I provide a plurality of numbered teeth of different lengths and the like, for use in selected combinations to correspond with the combination of the lock with which the key is to be used. The selected number of these teeth are designed to be mounted on a novel and improved key having means for holding the teeth thereon in proper relationship to manipulate the lock with which the key is to be used. The key has a head and a bifurcated shank, above which is a slot to receive a nut to engage the threaded end of a flat bar which is receivable between the leg of the bifurcated shank and on which the key teeth are mounted. The key teeth are therefore demountable, removable, changeable and replaceable.

Other and equally important objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following drawings and description, but it is pointed out that changes in the form, size, shape, materials, construction and arrangement of parts is permissible and within my broad inventive concept and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings wherein I have illustrated a preferred form of my invention Figure l is a side view of my key;

Figure 2 is a bottom end view;

Figure 3 is a side edge view;

Figure 4 is a side view of the key carrying flat bar;

Figure 5 is a side view showing the keys, the bar and the nut in isometric relationship;

Figure 6 a section in line 6--6 of Fig. 4;

Figure 7 is an edge view of my device and Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a section on the line 99 of Figure 1.

In the drawings wherein like characters of reference are used to designate like or similar parts throughout the several views-- The numeral I designates the head of the key which has a slot 2 therein and a bifurcated shank below the slot with tongues or ribs 3 on the legs 4 thereof. The legs 4 have reduced bottom ends 5. Mounted between the legs 4 is a flat bar 6 with rounded edges and grooved as at I to receive the tongues or ribs 3. The top end of the bar 6 is reduced and threaded as at 3, and the lower end 0f the bar is reduced and rectangular in cross section as at 9 and a keeper [0 is carried by the bottom end, and a lug Ii is formed below the keeper to center and pivot the key in a look.

A plurality of selective, numbered, and removable key teeth I 2 of different lengths, and the like, have slots i3 into which the legs 4 are fitted, and a slot id to receive the'reduced end 9 of the bar 6 so that the key teeth are threaded on the bar and legs, and a nut [5 in the slot 2 is engaged With the threaded end 8 of the bar to clamp and hold the keys in assembly as shown in Figure 8. A central opening 16 is provided in the key head for reception of a key ring. It will be noted that the keeper If] is elongated to withdraw or retract the bolt of the lock, the tumblers of which have been set by the key teeth l2.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the operation and advantages of my invention will be apparent, but it is again emphasized that interpretation of its scope should only be conclusive when made in the light of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A key, comprising a head and a bifurcated shank, the legs of which have reduced ends and ribs formed on the legs between their ends, the head formed with a T-shaped slot above the shank, a bar having grooves fitting on the ribs of the shank, and having a reduced threaded end, a nut in the slot engaging the threaded end of the rod, and a plurality of key teeth for selective engagement with the key and having openings receiving the rod and the reduced ends of the legs of the shank and a keeper on the rod to hold the keys in assembly.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the legs of the shank are elongated, spaced and parallel and the ribs are formed on the inner edges of the legs, and the rod having rounded edges and edge slots to receive the grooves when the rod is positioned between the legs.

AMERICO CIANI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

